“What all do they announce?”
“Your name and sentencing. The God of Judgment will give his taurnshit slogan, ‘May you receive your desired judgment.’ Then it begins.”
Yemi and I exchange looks.
“As soon as we step out of here, our power returns, right?”
“Yeah, but don’t do anything until they tell you to start. Attacking prematurely is immediate disqualification, and you’ll be killed.”
Yemi tightens her grip on my hand as the first barrier positioned diagonally from us drops. The seven men walk out with their heads held high and bloodthirsty determination scripted across their faces.
The words coming from whoever is saying something are still too muffled to understand, but the fourteen men now lining up out there take turns stepping forward every few seconds.
After a moment, they all pivot to the left, bow, then retreat to opposite sides. Some bounce on their toes, crack their necks, and shake their shoulders out. Others stand statue-still.
A whistle rings in my ears as handfuls from both sides begin sprinting around while power explodes.
I struggle to breathe when I think about the fact that some of them out there—well, all of them have power, but some don’t have abilities that can be pushed onto someone.
Amick instantly pops into my mind.
He’s the only one of my Valtrue whose power doesn’t provide him with the ability or opportunity to harm someone before they could harm him. Kyzen can slow or speed up time, giving him an incredible advantage to use as a weapon.
Creed’s and Riven’s abilities speak for themselves.
The fight in the Abandon rushes me and I’m just now seeing how disciplined, talented, and strong Amick really is. The biggest benefit he has is anyone who has a power level beneath his, their abilities won’t do much to him. It’ll glide across his skin like a breeze. It can bring awareness but not harm. Unless they touch him or take him by sheer surprise.
Valories. Please let my noncompliant, mysterious power be strong enough to protect me even if it doesn’tcooperate.
Yemi shrieks and steps back as two men collide into our invisible wall. Each punch they exchange causes hollowness to settle in my stomach, and I place my fingers on my lips. Neither of them is using power or weapons.
They’re beating each other to death with their bare hands.
Brutal doesn’t cover what we’re watching.
I can’t look away.
This is a savage, almost desired, bloodbath.
The crowd is on their feet, screaming in excitement rather than horror. They’re living on the thrill of this and that speaks volumes about what kind of gods these beings are.
My eyes drift shut as Yemi lets out a piercing wail. It doesn’t block out the echo of that man’s neck being cracked. That horrifying tune travels all the way back to our cell.
“Gods, Thayla, I can’t do this. I can’t go out there.”
I turn to grip her, but Sevryn beats me to it. I want to knock him the fuck out of my way, but I freeze.
He holds her shoulders so tenderly, the action has the back of my eyes burning.
“You can do this. I’ll protect you. You stay behind me at all times.”
“I…”
“Listen to him.” I can’t muster up a smile when they both whip their heads to me. “Do as I told you. Use your abilities to protect yourself and stay behind him.”
“You as well,” he demands.
“Don’t worry about me, lover boy.” I chuckle, although the sob stuck in my throat makes it more strained than lighthearted. I shoot Yemi an apologetic glance, then focus back on him to block out the sound of screaming behind me. “Can you tell me what to expect about Dimitri’s group?”
